‘An honour’: John Horgan marks last day in office as B.C.’s premier
Posted November 17, 2022 10:04 pm.
Last Updated November 18, 2022 6:17 am.
B.C.’s outgoing Premier John Horgan gave his final remarks in Downtown Vancouver on Thursday, as his party readies to pass the torch to their new head.
After five years as B.C.’s premier, and eight years as the province’s leader of the New Democratic Party, Horgan reflected on his time in politics.
“It’s been the honour of my life to serve as Premier of BC. I’ve tried my level best to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” Horgan said in a tweet.
At the ceremony marking his last day in office, officials highlighted his leadership and style, and noted how personal and welcoming he was while in office.
Horgan announced he was stepping down in June, following his health journey with cancer, and in considering plans for the future.
“Despite this being the, you know, the best job in the universe, I just felt it was time to go,” Horgan said at the event.
On Thursday, outgoing Premier John Horgan marked his last day in office. (CityNews)
Horgan says one of his proudest accomplishments was working on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, a provincial legislation that focuses on reconciliation.
He says he hopes the Act’s legacy will address the “atrocities of the residential school system and the unspeakable poverty on reserves.”
According to the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), the Act “would not have been possible without the leadership of John Horgan.”
“We are grateful to Premier Horgan for working with us, instead of against us, on this monumental and historic piece of legislation for Indigenous rights, and for providing us with a framework that will be essential in holding future governments accountable to our rights as Indigenous peoples,” UBCIC said in a news release.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, the president of the organization, also praised his “exceptional leadership.”
“He has his own style and charisma, he stayed true to that, has enormous integrity, and he was always straight-up with our leadership,” Phillip said.
It’s been the honour of my life to serve as Premier of BC. I’ve tried my level best to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
I’m looking forward to spending more time with Ellie, serving as an MLA, and going back to being John from Langford.
Thank you, for everything. pic.twitter.com/fGzh0ATb8S
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) November 18, 2022
Phillip says despite outstanding issues like expansion of liquefied natural gas, and conservation of old growth, the union “remains proud” of the work they accomplished together.
“We are very grateful for John Horgan, and his team, and his leadership, and his friendship. We consider John Horgan, a friend of the Indigenous peoples of this province.”
During the event, Horgan also looked back on his other accomplishments and struggles while working as premier, and noted that his years as the provinces head have been rewarding.
He also praised the parties progress on clean energy, and how the party adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also spoke on the upcoming change, and stressed the importance of new governments.
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“If you’ve got mayonnaise in the fridge, and it’s been there for a couple of years, you’ve got to throw it out. And similarly, and I’m not suggesting you do it anytime soon, but the current government needs to be thrown out too,” he said.
But he added that there is still work to be done, including addressing important issues like B.C.’s use of natural resources.
“We will continue to have vigorous debates about old growth logging about oil and gas about mining. But these are absolutely essential components to us moving forward,” he explained.
Horgan says he is confident the province is in good hands with Eby, who is set to be sworn in as premier on Friday.
With files from Cole Schisler
